Is Dissociation Universal?

[Abstract]

first instance where a new personality is created must be prior to age 5

As far as I understand it. As a result of groupings of traumas and needed functions as far as I understand it.

how does someone develop alters that exist at later ages?

I have no idea! From what I have read I would not have thought all alters need to be created before age 5.

Here is an attachment about ego states.

Link Removed

 

[Pietro]

Thanks, Abstract! Very interesting. Never learned this before. :)

I also found it a little funny as an analogy: I am a computer systems architect, and we use almost all of the same terminology to model computer systems and software applications -- structure, behavior, transactions, etc. I guess it won't be so funny when computers, themselves, finally gain their own egos.

 

[Pencil]

Guess I need to do some reading about "structural dissociation theory" and "ego states".

I've also posted links ;)

 

[Pencil]

Its also probably important to say that parts therapy used as a way of treatment does not automatically mean someone has dissociation and that it is rather a concept used. That is where the controversy has arisen I believe. When people saw ego states as alters.

And then we get to the whole structural dissociation theory where all unresolved PTSD trauma is considered a state or part (emotional part EP) even though it is not sophisticated or independent in the way that a DID part is (which would be considered an apparently normal person ANP). And then according to that theory complex trauma could result in a more sophisticated emotional part.

Yes, that is why there is so much confusion.

The word 'disscociation' denotes a whole host of things that are related, but eventually very different. And of course it has nothing to do with ego states.

'Personality parts' develop as follows:

In PTSD there is primary structural dissociation: The ANP splits into one ANP and one EP. This can happen at any age.
In complex trauma (secondary dissociation) the ANP splits into one ANP and two or more EPs.
In DID (tertiary dissociation) the ANP splits into two or more ANPs.

And there is controversy on this forum as members refer to states as parts or the other way round. It is due, I think, to the wide use of the word 'dissociation' in the field.

 

[Pencil]

Essentially I think it's a bit like Dorian Gray and his portrait in the attic, but with a separate picture for each function you require it store.

Excellent analogy!

 

[Abstract]

Agreed Pencil. That is how I understand the theory. It is the ANP that needs to develop early (I am assuming for the first time).

EP can happen any time. They are trauma in some respects (I hope noone takes offence to that). Since anyone can become traumatised at any age then this is not age dependent. And EP's can be fairly sophisticated in some and some situations.

 

[Abstract]

And yes, I believe according to structural dissociation theory that dissociation is divided very clearly into two sections. What we have discussed above and secondly depersonalisation, trance states etc.

So spacing out and not remembering, not accessing emotions or physical sensations, not being in ones body or having out of body experiences are all considered separate and not necessarily trauma related. Even though people further along the structural dissociation spectrum normally have high levels of dissociative trance, depersonalisation and or derealisation.

 

[Pencil]

Exactly, so one has 'trances' on the one hand, and 'splitting' on the other.

 

[safenow]

Pietro said: ↑

how does someone develop alters that exist at later ages?

If I may interject something here. A person can obtain "alters" for any age they are needed. The reason a person with MPT/DID are branded in such a way, is because it is during the formative years. Which means there was only torture as a basis of the foundation of life and learning. No kind actions to help as they get older.

Those of us with trauma at an older time period, while we must change (becoming different or an alter if you will) there is still a foundation to fall back on. The kindness of youth and early adolescence. In our youth, we either had kind parents or others who taught us ways to be safe. Many of us who never got that have nothing to fall back on.

I hope this make sense.

safenow

 

[Pietro]

@safenow,

Makes a lot of sense. There may be some differences in how this works between acute, severe traumas vs. chronic emotional trauma.